Dickey River Encounter – Eye to Eye in the Timber
June 13, 2010 by twangg
Who Is Sasquatch?
By
Thom Cantrall
Olympic Peninsula October, 1977
He was large, over eight feet tall and easily weighed six-hundred pounds… he was covered with long, dark hair. His massive head seemed to sit directly on his broad shoulders with little or no neck between. Oversized crystal-brown eyes surveyed me diligently as I stood transfixed. We watched each other at a range of less than
Patty Walking Away...
twenty-five feet with my mind cataloging all I was seeing even while my brain was telling me this was an impossibility. “This creature does not exist and anyone who states otherwise is either lying, perpetrating a hoax or is misidentifying what they are seeing,” the so-called expert had said with authority.
Well, at this moment, deep in the swampy morass known as the Dickey River country, I wished fervently that I had this “expert” with me. I was over two miles from the nearest road and more than a mile from anything that could be considered even a ghost of a trail on a trek that no one other than my partner knew I was taking. My partner was nowhere within reach. He was probably sitting in my truck on the road eating my sandwich and drinking my coffee. One thing I knew for a fact. He was not going to be anywhere near this far from a soft seat and dry cab. I knew that no one was going to know anything of what I was seeing except I tell them.
I was here in the capacity of a Forest Engineer to do a bridge site survey for a local timber company who planned to build a road into this stretch of virgin timber. As that road crossed a salmon spawning stream, a hydraulics permit was going to be required to satisfy the requirements of the state in order to obtain the necessary permits to
Typical Logging Road Bridge Over Salmon Stream
build this road. A bridge site survey involves measuring the size, width and depth of the stream as well as the soil types that are found. In short, everything that will go into the design and construction of the bridge and adjacent road was to be enumerated and recorded.
Sasquatch… Bigfoot… Swamp Ape… Yeti… they were the same creature and they did not exist. I was told so by experts… So, why was something that does not exist standing there watching me so intently? Didn’t he know he was an imaginary creature… a myth? This was evidently not true, for he began to move slowly away from me. He was walking upright, just as I do. He began a slow retreat towards the nearby timber and away from the berries he had been feeding on when I first spotted him. He did not totter in a lumbering fashion as a bear does when he walks on his hind legs but walked smoothly with a strange little hitch in his gait. In abject awe, I watched as he walked surely and directly to the heavy cover. As he went, he turned occasionally without stopping to assess my actions. He need not have worried for I was not moving from where I stood. It was as if I had taken root on that spot.
This encounter etched itself into my brain as I realized that this was probably what that expert called panic hysteria induced by some event in my childhood that caused me to hallucinate and think I actually was seeing what my eyes were recording… but, why wasn’t that expert here? In fact, I wondered if that expert had ever been here… or any similar place anywhere in North America? Somehow, I don’t really believe he had been.
When this creature of my imagination disappeared into the darkness of the timber I stood and watched as his image seemed to be burned into my retina. When a few minutes had passed and this after-image abated, I decided to see if I had actually been hallucinating and moved to where he had been eating berries. Unfortunately for my reasonable expert, the first things I saw were tracks… large, wide
Track in the Soft Mud of the River Bottom
tracks there in the soft ground. Five toe prints were clearly visible and from heel to toe, the track measured seventeen inches in length and was approximately five and one-quarter inches in breadth across the ball of the foot. It tapered to a width of about two and three-quarters at the heel. I could see a series of his tracks between where I now stood and the timber across the way. The first thing that struck me was the length of the creature’s stride.
I was a Forest Engineer and, as such, had taught myself to walk with a measured pace. I was able to measure long distances by pacing and be accurate within fifty feet in a mile. I had done so many times, often to the amazement of my partner. My pace, left foot then right was exactly five feet. I could maintain this pace accurately uphill and down.
Using my calibrated paces, I carefully measured the stride of my visitor and found his pace, from the heel of his right foot to the left and back to the heel of the right again was within two of my paces or over nine feet and below ten feet. As I had watched the creature walk away, I knew he had not been alarmed and was not running, but merely walking steadily on his way.
The last measurement I wanted was the depth or his footprint in the
Dickey River Country From the Air
soft ground as it compared to my own. I knew that my shorter, narrower foot should penetrate deeper than his long, broad feet. To test my hypothesis, I removed my boots and socks and walked as he did over the same ground, just being careful not to obliterate his tracks. I was amazed that my foot did not sink deeper nor, interestingly enough, did his sink deeper than my own. In fact, we made very similar tracks separated only by size. Both showed the balls of our feet, five distinct toes, a marked arch and a round heel. The only real difference was in the fact that he seemed to place his foot more evenly on the ground than did I, not rolling from heel to toe as I did in my paces.
As I sat and replaced my boots, it struck me to measure my foot and compare that to that of my non-existent visitor. When I did so, I made what was, to me, a startling discovery. I computed my foot to have covered approximately thirty square inches. And, since I weighed two-hundred-twenty-five pounds fully dressed at that time, I was exerting approximately seven point five pounds per square inch of pressure on the ground. When I measured my imaginary guest’s footprint, I judged it to be approximately eighty square inches and, while I did not know exactly what he weighed, as he didn’t seem prone to staying around while I found a set of scales, but I could estimate the weight of cattle quite accurately and I felt I could be just as accurate with this myth. When I divided my estimated weight of six-hundred pounds by the eighty square inches of his foot print, I came up with an identical seven point five pounds per square inch! No wonder we sank so nearly the same in the ground, we were exerting virtually the same pressure per square inch on it as we walked.
Armed with all this data, I continued on to complete my bridge site survey and began my hike back towards my truck… When I arrived, I was right… my lunch had been ravaged and my partner was sleeping contentedly in his corner of the truck.
An Old Logging Bridge Over an Ephemeral Stream
Thom, I can’t get enough of your writing style……I want to devour everything you write!
The way you describe your encounters with these “Creatures of my imagination” cracks me up!
I too have often wished that one of these so-called “experts” was with me when I had a sighting or experience so they could then explain to me just how the heck I was so clearly projecting life, movement and sound into something that was coming from my imagination. Cuz it sure looked, moved and sounded like something that actually existed to me!
you got that right in SPADES!
Hi Thom,
Thank you for a very scientific analysis description of your encounter with the creature that people said was your imagination,These same that people poke fun and ridicule is
truly amazing ,the denial people have when such a story is told.I experienced the same reaction when I told my story of my encounter down here in the high sierria,s.I did not utilise the same analytical desciption you used to descibe your experience.My mistake,oh well!
Well DONE! Joseph Walls Sr.
Thank you very much Joe… Where in the Sierra did you have your encounter? When was it?
I believe these creatures migrated along with the various Asiatic tribes across the Bering land straits during the last ice age. There habitation along the inland coasts of B.C. and the Pacific N.W. makes perfect sense from a anthropological point of view.
I’ve also trained dogs for years. What puzzles me is why Bigfoot hunters have not conditioned dogs specifically to track these creatures. It wouldn’t be difficult. Bigfoots produce an incredible amount of sulfur, I would imagine, to keep various parasites out of their fur. Training dogs to follow a sulfur trail, to me, seems a no brainer. The creatures can avoid human detection because they’ve been here for thousands of years, however, no animal on earth can evade a determined canine on a scent trail. I’ve seen dogs sniff out a piece of cordite the size of a match head in a busy airport.
In my mind, a Bigfoot should be easy quarry for the properly conditioned dog, not to kill of course, just to prove, and turn the world of Anthropology upside down.
Charles, thanks for your input… I have wondered about that too.. and I have asked about it and have found that hound men will not risk their dogs… their thesis is simple… to Sas, a dog is food… they tell me that they have tried to acclimate dogs to Sas and the dogs simply will not follow them.. or if they start.. they are soon dissuaded from the search.. .their words, not mine… If you know of a way, I’d love to know of it…Thanks,
Thom
Great writing! I like to think I will be as brave as you were if that ever happens to me. I am pretty sure I will go back the way I came and not go to where he was standing. Interesting that he would stare back at you so calmly. I think they can sense when they might be in danger, and you were not a threat.
Thank you Trent… I appreciate your comments… and, YES, the can tell when they are threatened. I was wishing he’d have stayed longer. I was thrilled with him… he was so beautiful to watch and the minute or so he was in my view I count as among the favorite minutes of my life.
Very good description of your encounter, were there any associated oders? I have heard of encounters both with and without oders and various types from wet dog to rotten flesh,has any been reported of a parmesan cheese type oder? I was mountian biking 11 miles into the back-country and encountered this strong smell and have wondered if a BF was nearby.
Keith, the odor associated with this individual was minimal.. a bit of a “wet dog” smell.. but that could well have been a factor of the fact that it was raining and we were both wet at the time… I’ve had other encounters where the odor was present varied from “unpleasant” to overpowering… the worst seemed to be reminiscent of rotting onions… I truly believe it is something they can exude at will, like a skunk, badger or other such animal…
His story is true – factual – and is accurately corroborated by my discoveries of six young from one to seven years old in 2008
& 2009. They are hominins (hominids) divergent from H. sapiens
by 1 to 2 million years. Their scientific name is ” Homo robustus bigfooticus “. They are omnivores like us. Their infants have brain sizes about 40% that of a human newborn & a growth time frame of 2 X humans. Adults have cranial capacity of 1000 + cc ( 75% of Sapiens & up ) which overlaps both H. erectus and Sapiens who average 1350 cc. Their DNA is 99.8 + % the same as Sapiens. They are not descendants of Gigantopithecus – their ancestors are the robust Australopithecines ( A. boisei ) hominins – See the first ever infant photos @ Bigfooticus. Sincerely Tom
The footprint shown seems to be a double bear print with the hind paw stepping into the front paw. I think I can see decernable toe prints from the back paw below the front toe prints.
More investigation aught to be put into the Yeti de Bourganeuf and the so called MN Ice Man. I viewed the Ice Man about 1967 in Portland, Oregon. It was bloody and rotting. I don’t think it could have been faked.
Michael, I borrowed that picture of the footprint and the fellow who took the picture was quite convinced that the Sasquatch standing in the track was not a bear at the time. Thank you for your learned comments, however. And, yes, more investigation is always a welcome thing… are you investigating an area now?
@ Tom Miller
I couldn’t find an email on your site, so I had to re-contact you here.
I purchased your e book but I think it must not have downloaded properly. I got a blob and a bunch of rrrr’s. I would really like to se the conclusive evidence. Should I try to re-download ? Please help.
(and thanks Tom for the cross connect)
i mean thanks “Thom” for the cross connect
Hey Tom…..I have been fascinated by this subject for a long time. I think it is one of the most interesting mysteries around. I can’t even imagine how it would affect me if I ever saw one of these creatures myself. Has to be a shocker. But I would still love to see one .
Doug.. wherever you live, there is a group nearby that is working on that very thing… My recommendation would be to locate a likely place… one with past reports, perhaps, and just go there and sit… playing some quiet music seems to help too and food such as apples, grapes, peaches, pears, etc is always welcome. Be respectful of them and you will find that they will come to you… I wish you luck
Thom
Tom what is your opinion on Mike Rugg’s theory about bigfoot possibly being a feral human? personally I have never seen any human that meets these massive descriptions given by the witnesses,also is luring a bigfoot dangerous and how close is too close?
Keith… an interesting question. I have not heard Mike’s theory expounded, but in my opinion, I do believe we will find that Sas is in the Family Homo… but not of the species Sapian… I think he is much more closely related to us than is generally thought today. I have seen nothing, however that would make be believe they are feral humans… whatever that actually means… If mike has evidence I haven’t seen, I’m willing to revise my thoughts at any time…
I don’t feel that Sas is dangerous in any real way… if you threatened a child, you might be in trouble… but normally they are NOT aggressive or dangerous.. that said, there ARE exceptions…
I find no danger in luring one in… I have been close enough to shake hands had they been so disposed and I’ve not felt threatened at any time… even when in the presence of three of them, I was never threatened… just be respectful and be as careful as you would with any wild thing… just remember they are more intelligent than any wild thing you will ever encounter… and the most fascinating… where are you located?
My favorite way to find them is to drive to my area… walk to my spot and sit with some quiet music sometimes … often I read while waiting… I put out some apples or other fruit and they will come to you… they are most curious about things in their area… and will be there to check you out… have food for them and they will come in … then just talk to them… they love that… listen for an answer… and I hope you get one…
Thom
Thom, thanks for the reply..we share the same thoughts that Sas is closely related and I promise to use your methods of luring Sas with caution.I reside in WV and have had a few strange encounters in the wilderness which leads me to believe that BF was nearby,each encounter happened in different areas far apart and included vocalizations,odors, and bi-pedal footsteps at night while camping.
There are reports from credible people including Police Officers who claim to have seen these creatures and who have been profoundly changed by the event, some are so scared they will not venture out into the woods alone or un-armed,hopefully they will see these comments and overcome their fears with a little more understanding and compassion…lets hope so!
Really, great writing…I am a believer of Sasquatch, having never seen one or recognized one, as I was in the woods, Sierras, many wonderful years working for California Fish & Game. I once found a huge pile of dung on a trail that was extremely hard to get to, part of which included rock climbing up slopes above timber line. This pile of scat really amazed me, relative to its size. It appeared to have come from a giant man, except I saw fur and plant particles. I was hunting big head Mule deer and was hunting on opening day, harvesting a big four-point. The following year (I hunt alone), I was at the same spot, and found this poop about 600-700 meters farther up the trail. I put a sample in my back pack, sent it to a station at Lake Tahoe, circa 1974-75. I received a hard copy report: this poop belonged to a creature that was that of a primate; not human, ape nor bear. I have hunted this area always and have always been intrigued by the ‘feelings of being watched’ many, many times. I took my bear and cougar hunter Oohrang Airedale, name Lion Roar, had killed many coyotes., etc. Before hunting season one year, I took him with me to this spot. He ran off and returned in about 20 minutes. He appeared stressed, stayed next to me until I left two days later. I had never seen him like that in the woods. This terrain was rocky with granite and above timber line. If Bigfoot buries his dung, he could not do it here. I thought the animal pooped on the trail, aggresively marking his territory. This is the migratory trail from Nevada to Cal for deer, and its followers.
Anthony, thanks for your kind words.. they are very much appreciated… And thank you for sharing your story with me… two people pop into my mind when you speak of the Sierra high country. First is Ron Morehead who has recorded our large friends in the Sierra, I believe above Sonora, but I’m not sure of that… He has a website at http://www.sierrasounds.com I think it is… the other is Jaime Avalos who has been tracking Sas back and forth across the Sierra from CA to the NV side and back again… I’m sure either would be interested in talking about that area with you… again… thank you for sharing.
Thom, thanks for the well-written story of your encounter…I thoroughly enjoyed it, and though I have not yet encountered a BF, I have seen a number of other unusual and/or ‘strange’ things in my life. I don’t understand why some folks have such a strong need to ‘not believe’ – as though it is a matter of pride or integrity. I always felt that integrity involved some degree of clarity and openess, and the courage to be open even if it makes one uncomfortable. Anyway – thanks for sharing.
i really enjoyed your story .I myself have never seen such a creature i do believe there is such a creature out there i would love to have such a encounter .i have been a woodsman for more than 30 years and have 2 very good friends that i have spent most of my time in the woods with them since we were just small and have had many strange things happen and seen somethings that we just could not put a finger on.As of resent myself and those two men have become very interested in the Sas and would love to have the input of a person such as yourself on how to go about starting to look for a area to give us the best chance of such a encounter we live in the most northern part of Wva.and though we large amounts of know how when it comes to hunting and tracking i just feel we are lost when it comes to this creature do know that in NO WAY would any of us wish harm to come to this creature you understand this i know by the way you speak of it. would very much welcome and help you could give us thanks
Thank you Will… if you would email me at Twangg1@yahoo.com I’d be happy to help you all I can… Thom
The word “believe” is used wrongly by journalists and commentators and other folks talking about such subjects.
Anyone who says such a creature CANT exist and disparages all the existing evidence, is a BELIEVER. That person BELIEVES it cant exist. They have no reason for such a stance, just the mindset.
Anyone who considers the existence of such a creature, given the existing evidence, is not a believer, but rather is being scientific. Science considers the world on the basis if evidence, seeking to validate or discard hypotheses and theories.
Just my 2 c